Molding machine

ABSTRACT

An automatic flaskless match plate molding machine wherein a drag and a cope are successively filled and squeezed within the machine to form drag and cope mold halves; transferred to an exterior core setting station whereat the drag and cope are closed to form a completed mold and the completed mold stripped from the drag and cope; and retracted into the machine to repeat the molding cycle. The machine features a universal match-plate, an improved sand dispensing, sifting and compacting arrangement, and an improved pour opening former.

United States Patent H 1 3,695,338 Masi Oct. 3, 1972 [541 MOLDINGMACHINE 3,506,058 4/1970 Hunter 164/37 [72] Inventor: Anthony S Masi,755 East 43 St" 3,5|7,728 6/]970 T8CCOIIC ..164/324 X Erie p 165043,589,433 6/1971 Hedburg .1640? x Filed: July 1970 Primary Examiner-J.Spencer Overholser [21] Appl. No.: 59,181 Assistant Examiner-John E.Roethel Att0rney-Bean & Bean Related US. Application Data [63]Continuation-impart of Ser. No. 775,711, Nov. [57] ABSTRACT 1968'abandoned An automatic flaskless match plate molding machine wherein adrag and a cope are successively filled and [52] US. Cl. ..l64/l8l,164/29, 164/ 193, squeezed within the machine to f drag and cope [51] InCl l64/22n7izlc6iflnzgl mold halves; transferred to an exterior coresetting a I i p t i i t i s s i -a a [58] F|eliliofSearch....l64/27, 29,37. 16 completed mold and the completed mold stripped 64/182 from thedrag and cope; and retracted into the machine to repeat the moldingcycle. The machine features a universal match-plate, an improved sand{56] References Cited dispensing, sifting and compacting arrangement,and

UNITED STATES PATENTS an improved p Opening former- 3,5 89,432 6/l97lMiller et a]. 164/182 24 Chins, 28 Drawing Figures J g :1 q/ .114 A 4 341311mm 122 "l'h', 130-"; m 25'! 13,-? &; r 1 25a :1 P Iii I a: i r. 105

PATENTEDUBT 3 I972 SHEEI 1 0F 8 I N VENTOR ANTHONY S. M/LSI PATENTEDSHEET 2 0F 8 [NVEN ANTHONY PATENTEDHIIH I 2 3.695.338

sum 3 BF 8 I N VENTOR ANTHONYS AS ATTORNE XS ATENTEU I973 3.695.338

SHEET '4 OF 8 56 INVENTOR AN THONY 5. M/IS/ PATENTEUBBIQ I972 SHEET 5 OF8 IN V EN TOR ANTHONY 5. M45/ Gila/ 4 4 @141, A T TORNEYS MOLDING mommaREFERENCE TO IRIOR APPLICATION This is a continuation-in-part of myprior patent application Ser. No. 775.7] I, filed Nov. l4. I968, nowabandoned.

SUMMARY In my co-pending application Ser. No. 775,7l I, filed Nov. I4,1968, there isdisclosed a match-plate molding machine wherein a drag andcope are formed as a permanent part of the machine and mold halvessuccessively formed in the drag and cope within a molding station of themachine are moved to a convenient external core-setting and closingstation, wherein the mold halves are joined and stripped from the dragand cope.

The present invention features several improvements in the basicconstruction of the molding machine disclosed by my above mentionedapplication, which adapts such machine for universal moldingapplication.

More particularly, the present invention features an improvedmatch-plate holder or frame. which permits multiple sizes of presentlyavailable match-plates to be employed in the present machine; animproved sand dispensing hopper support, which permits the volume of themolding sand charge to be readily adjusted in accordance with moldingrequirements; a sand rake device which serves to break up lumps whichmay be present in the charge simultaneously with the dispensing thereofinto the drag or cope; an improved vibrating arrangement for settlingsand against the pattern surfaces of the mold plate; and an improvedpour basin forming head construction, which is carried by the squeezehead and serves to automatically form a pour basin in the cope mold halfduring squeezing thereof.

DRAWINGS The nature and mode of operation of the present invention ismore fully described in the following detailed description taken withthe accompanying drawings wherein:

FIG. I is a front elevational view of the present molding machine havingparts broken away for purposes for clarity;

FIG. 2 is a side elevational view of the machine shown in FIG. I havingparts broken away for purposes of clarity;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the cope and cope carrler;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the drag and drag carrler',

FIG. 5 is a fragmentary top plan view of the drag mounted on itscarrier;

FIG. 6 is a sectional view taken along line 6-6 in FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 is a sectional view taken along line 7-7 in FIG. 5;

FIG. 8 is a sectional view taken along line 88 in FIG. 5;

FIG. 9 is a sectional view taken along line 99 in FIG. 6;

FIG I0 is a sectional view taken along line 10-10 in FIG. l;

FIG. I! isasectioml viewtakenalong line ll-ll in FIG. 10;

FIG. I2 is a sectional view taken along line l2-l2 in FIG. 2;

FIGS. 13 and I4 are fragmentary side elevational views showing variousstages in operation of the mold closing apparatus;

FIG. 15 is asectional view taken along line 15-15 in FIG. I;

FIGS. 16-28 illustrate various stages in machine operation.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION To facilitate description of the molding machine ofthe present invention. which is generally designated as It) in thedrawings, it will be considered as broadly including a drag 12; a cope13; a molding station 14 for successively completing mold halves l6 andI7 within the drag and cope. respectively; a closing station 18 forjoining mold halves l6 and 17 to form a completed mold 20 andsubsequently stripping or separating the completed mold from the dragand cope; and arrangements including drag and cope carriages 22 and 23for mounting the drag and cope for movement between the molding andclosing station, during each cycle of machine operation.

The various operating elements of machine 10 are mounted on a machineframe 24, which is best shown in FIGS. I and 2 as having a pair ofupstanding side walls 25 and 26; side wall connecting plates 27; andpairs of column supports or standards 29 and 30, which upstand from sidewall 25 and 26, respectively, and are braced adjacent their upper endsby bars 32 and 34.

Drag I2 is best shown in FIGS. I, 4 and 5 as being in the form of anopen-ended box having trunnions 36, support brackets 38 and joinerbrackets 40 arranged one adjacent each end thereof. Joiner brackets 40each support a dowl pin 42 and define a down pin receiving opening 44.

As will be apparent from viewing FIGS. 4-6 and 9, trunnions 36 eachinclude roller bearings 46. which are freely received for bothrotational and relative vertical movement between pairs of carriagemounted guide plates 48, 49. Extending from one of trunnions 36 is adrive shank extension 50, which is cut away to define parallel drivesurfaces 52 removably engageable with drive coupling 54 of carriagemounted reversable fluid motor 56. As best shown in FIGS. 6 and 9, shankextension 50 is positioned vertically for alignment with drive coupling54 by adjustable bolts 58 arranged intermediate each pair of guideplates 48, 49 for supporting engagement with roller bearings 46.

By referring to FIGS. 5, 7 and 8 it will be understood that operation ofmotor 56 effects rotation of drag 12 through substantially between itsmolding orientation, which is shown in full line in FIG. 5 anddetermined by engagement of support brackets 38 with carriage mountedadjustable bolts 60, and its stripping orientation, which is shown inphantom line in FIG. 5 and determined by engagement of support brackets38 with carriage mounted adjustable bolts 62.

Drag carriage 22 is supported by wheels 64 on column support mountedtracks 66 for reciprocating movement under the control of track mountedfluid cylinders 68 to and from its retracted position shown in FIG. 2.When carriage 22 is in its retracted position and drag I2 is in itsmolding orientation, the drag is considered to be in its moldingposition within molding station 14, whereas when carriage is extended tothe left, as viewed in FIG. 2, and drag 12 is rotated into its strippingorientation. the drag is considered to be in its stripping or closingposition within closing station 18.

Cope I3 is best shown in FIG. 3 as being in the form of an opemcnded boxhaving adjacent each end thereof a pair of support brackets 70, 72; andjoiner brackets 74. Joiner brackets 74 each support a dowl pin 76 anddefine a dowl pin receiving opening 78; dowl pins 70 and openings 78being dimensioned to cooperate with openings 44 and dowl pins 42 toremovably lock drag I2 and cope 13 together when in closing position.Cope 13 is removably supported for relative vertical movement oncarriage 23 by engagement of support brackets 70 with carriage mountedadjustable bolts 80 and by engagement of support brackets 72 with thebases 82 of carriage mounted adjustable guide pins 84, which are freelyreceived with bracket apertures 86.

Cope carriage 23 is supported by wheels 90 on column support mountedtracks 92 for reciprocating movement under the control of fluidcylinders 94, 96 between the retracted, molding and closing positionindicated generally in FIGS. 16, 21 and 24, respectively. It will beunderstood that when carriage 23 is in its molding position, cope I3 isconsidered to be in its molding position within molding station 14,whereas when carriage 23 is in its closing position, cope 13 isconsidered to be in its closing position within closing station 18.

Molding station 14 is vertically bounded by column supports 28 and 30and generally includes a mechanism 100 for forming and dispensing acharge of molding material or molding sand downwardly into drag l2 andcope 13 when in molding position therebeneath; a match-plate assembly102; and an arrangement including pattern well I04 and squeeze head 106for compressing a charge of sand dispensed into the drag and cope forcompleting mold halves I6 and 17 formed with mold surfaces determined bythe match-plate assembly.

Mechanism I is best shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 as including a moldingmaterial hopper 110, which is supported on a framework 112 havingflanges I14 aperlured to receive the threaded upper ends of columnsupports 29, 30; a clam type valve I16 operated by framework mountedfluid cylinder 118 to permit gravity discharge of material from hopperI; a material discharge guide I20 fixed to upper frame bars 32, 34; andhead assembly I22.

Head assembly I22 includes a valve head 124, which is mounted by frameaffixed rails I26 for horizontal recipcating movement under the controlof fluid cylinder I28 between the extended and retracted positions shownin FIGS. 16 and 17, respectively. Valve head I24. when in extendedposition, serves both to close the lower end opening I30 of guide 120and to operatively position squeeze head 106, which depends therefrom,within molding station 14.

As will be apparent from viewing FIGS. 16 and 17.2: charge of sand to beemployed in forming mold halves lo and I7 is formed, when vnlvc head I24is in exlcllilnl position, by opening vnlvc I I6 to lill guide I20 withsand discharged from hopper 110. When guide is filled, valve "6 isclosed and the charge subsequently dispensed downwardly through openinginto either drag 12 or cope 13 when valve head 124 is moved-into itsretracted position. In accordance with the present invention, thevertical spacing between valve 116 and valve head 124, and thus thevolume of the charge, may be readily adjusted by merely adjusting clampnuts 132, which are threaded onto the upper ends of column supports 29,30 and serve to clampingly position flanges 114 of hopper supportingframework 112.

Valve head 124 is provided adjacent its forward end with a rake device134, which is operable during retraction of the valve head to break upany lumps of sand which may be present in the charge. Rake device 134 isbest shown in FIGS. 1 and 15 as including an inverted, generallyL-shaped mounting bracket 136 to which are affixed a plurality ofpin-like rake elements 138 and a plurality of vertically inclined plates140, which serve to distribute the charge relation to elements 138.Preferably, bracket 136 is movably mounted on valve head 124 byresilient mounts 142, which permit vibrating movement to be imparted tobracket 136 by a suitable, pneumatically or electrically operatedvibrator, generally designated as 144. As will be apparent from viewingFIG. 15, when valve head 124 is retracted to uncover guide opening 130aind release the charge, any lumps present in the charge are broken uponstriking one of elements 138 or plates 140 or due to the vibration setup within the charge.

As is conventional, an upset assembly having a vertically extendingthrough opening 152 is employed to guide the charge passing throughguide opening 130 downwardly into drag l2 and cope 13 when in theirmolding position.

Now referring to FIGS. 1. 2, I0, 11 and 20, it will be seen thatmatch-plate assembly 102 includes a generally rectangular match-plate160, which is shown in FIG. 20 as having an oppositely facing first andsecond pattern surfaces 1600, 16%; a generally rectangular match-plateholding frame or jig 162, which is supported on guide fixtures 164, 166for rotation under the control of fixture mounted, reversible fluidmotor 168 and for vertical reciprocating movement by table or sub-frameI70 mounted fluid cylinder 172. Table 170 is in turn mounted forvertical reciprocating movement relative to frame 24 by fluid cylindersI74 and serves to support pattern well I04.

In its preferred form, match-plate frame 162 includes a generallyrectangular spacer plate I76 having a through opening I78 dimensioned toaccommodate the largest size match-plate to be employed in the machine.As best shown in FIGS. 10 and Il, match-plate 160 may be releasablyretained in a substantially co-planar relationship within opening 178 bypairs of coverplates I80 and I82, which are removably fixed, as bymachine screws I84, to spacer plate 176 in a sandwiched relationshipadjacent opposite ends thereof; and by set screws I86 threaded throughconnecting side bar portions 188 of spacer plate I76. While cover platesI80 and 182 may be joined by connecting portions, not shown, whichextend lengthwise of side bar portions 188, it is preferable to form thecover plates separately and to affix pairs of cover discs 190 by screwdevices I92 at spaced points lengthwise of the side bar portions. Theprovision of discs 190 improves packing of sand adjacent to side wallsof the cope and drag.

By again referring to FIGS. and II, it will be seen that spacer plate176 and cover plates 180, 182 are provided with pairs of apertures 196dimensioned to receive drag and cope dowl pins 42 206, 76 in order toinsure proper orientation of match-plate 160 when placed in dowl withthe cope and drag, as will be described. Preferably, apertures 196 arebounded by wear plates 198, which serve to prevent enlargement of theapertures during use.

Match-plate frame 162 is preferably removably fixed to fluid motor 168and fixture mounted support bearing 200 by holders 202, which are bestshown in FIGS. 10 and 11, as including L-shaped flanges 204 and coverplates 206, which are removably clamped together by machine screws 208.To facilitate orientation of dowl pins 42, 76 within apertures 196, aloose connection is provided between holder 202 and match-plate frameI62 in the form of a flange supported pin 210, which is loosely receivedwithin frame opening 212.

As is conventional, pattern well I04 is dimensioned to supportmatch-plate 160, it being evident that the depth of the pattern wellmust be such as to accommodate for the maximum dimensions of patternsurfaces I60a, 160b, when the matchplate is supported thereon. In apreferred form of the present invention, pattern well 104 is looselysupported on table 170 and has dependent therefrom a pneumatically orelectrically operated vibrating device 216, shown only in FIG. I asbeing freely received within the table opening 218. Vibrator mountingplates 210 are engageable with the walls of table opening 218 to limithorizontal movement of pattern well 104 beyond that which would resultin misalignment of the pattern well with matchplate I60 when a patternsurface of the latter is supported by the upper marginal supportingsurface 222 of the pattern well. Vibrator 216 is employed to vibratematch-plate 160 only during the filling of drag 12 or cope 13 with sand.

Reference is now made to FIGS. 2, I2, 22 and 23, wherein squeeze head106 is shown as being provided with a device 228 for automaticallyforming a pouring basin 230 in cope mold half I7 simultaneously with thecompression or squeezing thereof. Fonning device 228 includes agenerally frusto-conical shaped polyurethane head portion 232 having astepped opening 234 extending axially therethrough. Opening 234 includesrelatively small and large diameter end portions 234a and 234b, thelatter being threaded to receive one end of a metal tube 236, which isfreely received within squeeze head opening 238. The enlarged end ofhead 232 is provided with a deformable, marginally extending lip portion240 adapted to be maintained in deformed, sealing engagement with theunder surface of squeeze head 106 by nut 242 threaded onto therelatively upper end of tube 236. It will be understood by referring toFIGS. 22 and 23 that opening end portion 234a is dimensioned to receivethe end of rod 244, which upstands for pattern surface 16% in order toform pouring basin 230 and a sprue 246 leading to the cope mold halfcavity 248. Sand pushed into opening 234 may be subsequently dislodgedtherefrom by a pneumatic device, not shown.

Closing station 18 is shown in FIG. 2 as including a frame mountedpressure plate assembly 250 and a closing assembly 252. Pressure plateassembly 250 includes a pressure plate 254, which is supported by columnsupport mounted linkage 256 for vertical pivotal movement under thecontrol of fluid cylinder 258 between its retracted and operativepositions shown in full and phantom line, respectively, in FIG. 1. Forthe purpose to be described, a pressure sensitive or limit switch 259 isassociated with pressure plate 254.

Closing assembly 252 is best shown in FIGS. 1, 2, I3 and 14 as includinga main supporting plate 260 carried on the rams, not shown, of cylinders262, which are in turn supported by ram 264 of main cylinder 266.Cylinder 266 is fixed to frame 24 by mounting bracket 268. To preventbinding of the rams of cylinders 262 and 266 and/or horizontal movementof plate 260, there is provided a suitable guide in the form of platemounted guide rod 270 and bracket mounted bushing 272.

A drag mold supporting plate 274 is supported for vertical movementrelative to plate 260 between closing and stripping positions, shownrespectively in FIGS. 13 and 14, by a plurality of fluid expansiblecushion devices 276. As will be apparent from viewing FIGS. 13 and 14,cushion devices 276 are freely positioned within plate openings 280 byplate mounted support brackets 282.

Plate 260 additionally mounts a plurality of drag mold supporting and/orstripping devices, in the form of threadably adjustable bolts 284arranged to engage drag 12 only when plate 274 is moved into itsstripping position.

The upper surface of plate 274 is shown in FIGS. 2, I3 and 14 as beinggrooved in order to facilitate sliding completed mold 20 therefrom inthe manner indicated in FIG. 28.

Operation of machine 10 will now be described with particular referenceto FIGS. 16 through 28, which illustrate in sequence the operationalsteps thereof.

The operational cycle of machine 10 starts with the several machineelements being arranged in their relative positions shown in FIG. 16.Thus, drag I2 is supported by its carriage in molding position; cope 13is supported by its carriage in retracted position; matchplate 160 issupported on pattern well 104 with pattern surface 160a arranged forassociation with the drag; and a fresh charge of sand is retained withinguide by valve head 124.

In FIG. 17, cylinders 174 are shown as having lifted table 170, whichcarries pattern well 104 and thus matchplate 160, such that insuccession match-plate 160 is positioned in association with drag l2;and drag I2 is lifted from its carriage and positioned in contact withupset I50. The charge of sand is now discharged from guide 120 into drag12 through upset upon reciprocation of valve head 124 into its retractedposition. As mentioned above, any lumps of sand present in the chargebeing discharged are broken up by the valve head mounted rake device,and the charge properly settled against pattern surface a by operationof the pattern well vibrator.

FIG. 18 shows valve head 124 and squeeze head 106 returned to theirinitial operative positions of FIG. 16; and cylinders 174 furtherextended to effect compression or squeezing of sand within drag 12between sq ueeze head 106 and pattern surface 160a. During the squeezingoperation, squeeze head 106 telescopes within upset 150.

After the squeezing operation, cylinders 174 reverse their travel andlower such that in succession drag 12, with complete mold half 16therein, is removed from adjacent squeeze head 106 and repositioned onits carriage, pattern surface 160a stripped from mold half 16, and thepattern well 104 returned to its original FIG. 16 position, as generallyindicated in FIG. 19.

FIG. 20 illustrates the next series of operations, wherein in successiondrag 12 is moved out of the molding station and rotated through 180 toassume its closing position, whereupon a desired core 290 may bemanually set within the drag mold half. At the same time, match-plate160 is raised by fluid cylinder 172 (FIG. 2), rotated through l80 byfluid motor 168 (FIGS. and 11) in order to expose cope pattern surfacel60b, and again lowered into supporting engagement with pattern well104. Also, at or slightly before this point in the operating cycle,hopper valve 116 is operated to place a new charge of sand in guide 120.

In FIG. 21, mold closing cylinders 262 have been raised to position moldsupporting plate 274, when in closing position, in contact with the dragmold half; and cope mold I3 moved into the molding station.

FIG. 22 is similar to FIG. 18, but showing cope 13 being lifted off itscarriage and the previously deposited charge of sand being compressedtherein to form cope mold half 17.

FIG. 23 is similar to FIG. 19, but showing cope 13 being lowered andpattern surface [60b being stripped from mold half 17.

FIG. 24 shows cope 13 as having been moved forward by its carriage toposition it in closing position in vertical registration with drag 12.At the same time, matchplate 160 is again raised, rotated and loweredonto pattern well 104; and pressure plate 254 pivoted downwardly to liein vertical registration with the cope mold half. In FIG. 25, closingcylinder 266 is shown as having been extended, such that drag 12 hasbeen lifted off its carriage, closed against cope 13 to form a completedmold, and cope elevated to position the cope mold half in engagementwith pressure plate 254.

In FIG. 26, completed mold is shown as having been stripped from drag l2and cope 13. This is effected by employing switch 259 to senseengagement of cope mold half 17 with pressure plate 254, such switchcausing cushions 276 to deflate before movement of plate 260 towards thepressure plate has been arrested. Deflation of cushions 276 permitsrelative movement between plates 260 and 270, with the result that bolts284 become effective to supportingly engage drag l2 and lift both thedrag and cope relative to completed mold 20 previously arrested byengagement with pressure plate 254.

In FIG. 27, mold 20 after having been securely closed is lowered bycontraction of cylinders 262, 266, and cope l3 and drag l2 successivelyreturned to their original positions shown in FIG. 16 to complete themolding cycle.

FIG. 28 illustrates one manner in which completed molds 20 may be fed.as by pusher device 290 from machine 10 to a pouring station 300.

It will be understood that various types of electrical, pneumatic and/orhydraulic controls are susceptible for use in controlling the operationcycle of the molding machine of the present invention. Accordingly, itis not deemed necessary to illustrate such controls in detail in orderto permit one skilled in the art to understand the mode of operation ofthe present invention.

Iclaim:

l. A molding machine comprising:

a drag;

a cope;

a molding station;

a closing station spaced from said molding station;

and

mounting means to mount said drag and said cope for movement insuccession through said molding and closing stations during each cycleof machine operation, said molding station includes means to complete insuccession mold halves in said drag and said cope when disposedtherewith whereby said mold half is completed in said cope after saiddrag with its associated completed mold half is moved into said closingstation, and said closing station includes means to join said moldhalves to form a completed mold when both said drag and said cope aremoved into said closing station and to strip said completed mold fromsaid drag and cope.

2. A molding machine according to claim 1, wherein said closing stationmeans includes a pressure plate supported for vertical pivotal movementdownwardly into vertical registration with said cope mold half after,said drag and said cope are moved into said closing station, means toengage said drag mold half, means to engage said drag, and means to movesaid drag mold halt engaging means relative to said pressure plate forjoining said mold halves therebetween to form said completed mold and tothereafter move said drag engaging means relative to said pressure platefor stripping said completed mold from said drag and said cope.

3. A molding machine according to claim 1, wherein said closing stationmeans includes a pressure plate movable into vertical registration withsaid cope and drag after said cope and drag are moved into said closingstation, a drag supporting device, a mold supporting device, fluidexpansible means for mounting said mold supporting device on said dragsupporting device for relative vertical movement between closing andstripping positions, pressure responsive means, and means for mountingsaid drag supporting device for vertical movement towards said pressureplate when said drag and said cope are in closing position thereof,vertical upward movement of said drag supporting device when said moldsupporting device is in said closing position thereof bringing said moldsupporting device into engagement with said drag mold half, whereby saiddrag is moved vertically into mold completion engagement with said copeand said en gaged drag and cope are moved vertically to position saidcope mold half of said completed mold in engagement with said pressureplate, said pressure responsive means being responsive to engagement ofsaid cope mold half with said pressure plate for deflating said fluidexpansible means thereby to move said mold supporting device into saidstripping position thereof subsequent to engagement of said cope moldhalf with said pressure plate and before completion of said verticalupward movement, whereby said drag supporting device is engaged withsaid drag and said drag and said cope are moved vertically relative tosaid completed mold to effect stripping thereof.

4. A molding machine comprising in combination:

a frame;

a cope;

means to mount said cope on said frame for movement successively betweenhorizontally spaced retracted, molding and closing positions during eachcycle of machine operation;

a drag;

means to mount said drag on said frame for movement successively betweenhorizontally spaced molding and closing positions before movement ofsaid cope from said retracted position thereof during each cycle ofmachine operation;

means carried on said frame to complete in succession mold halves insaid drag and said cope when in said molding positions thereof; and

means to join said mold halves to form a completed mold when both saidcope and said drag are in said closing positions thereof and to stripsaid completed mold therefrom.

5. A molding machine according to claim 4, wherein said mold halfcompleting means includes means defining first and second patternsurfaces;

means carried on said frame to successively position said first andsecond pattern surfaces for association with said drag and said copewhen in said molding position thereof;

means carried on said frame for successively dispensing molding materialinto said drag and said cope when said pattern surfaces are associatedtherewith; and

means carried by said frame for bringing said positioned patternsurfaces into association and for compressing molding material dispensedinto said drag and said cope. 6. A molding machine according to claim 5,wherein said dispensing means includes a molding material hopper havingvalve means operable to permit gravity discharge of molding materialtherefrom; guide means horizontally fixed relative to said frame forguiding molding material discharged from said hopper downwardly througha lower end opening thereof into said drag and cope when in said moldingposition thereof; head means for normally closing said lower end openingand movable relative to said frame and guide means to permit dischargeof a charge of molding material from said guide means through saidopening, said charge being determined by the vertical spacing betweensaid head means and said hopper valve means; and means to mount saidhopper on said frame in fixed horizontal position for verticaladjustment, whereby said vertical spacing and thus the volume of saidcharge may be adjustably controlled.

7. A molding machine according to claim 6, wherein said head means ismounted on said frame for reciprocation between guide means openingclosed and open positions, said head means including rake means arrangedfor engagement by said charge when said head means is reciprocated intosaid open position.

8. A molding machine according to claim 5, wherein said dispensing meansincludes means fixed relative to said frame for guiding molding materialdownwardly through a lower end opening thereof into said drag and copewhen in said molding position thereof; and head means mounted on saidframe for reciprocation between opening closed and open positions, saidhead means including rake means arranged for engagement by said moldingmaterial during discharge thereof through said opening when said headmeans is reciprocated into said open position.

9. A molding machine according to claim 8, wherein said rack meansincludes a mounting plate arranged to extend transversely of the path ofreciprocation of said head means, resilient means to mount said plate onsaid head means, pin means fixed to said plate and extending in adirection lengthwise of said path of reciprocation, means fixed to saidplate for guiding said charge into association with said pin means, andmeans to vibrate said plate relative to said head means.

10. A molding machine according to claim 5, wherein said means definingsaid first and second pattern surfaces includes a generally rectangularmatchplate having said pattern surfaces carried on oppositely facingsurfaces thereof, and a generally rectangular match-plate holder, saidholder including a generally rectangular spacer plate having an openingtherein dimensioned to accommodate said match-plate in substantiallyco-planar relationship and means to releasably retain said match-platewithin said opening, said holder being carried by said surfacepositioning means.

ll. A molding machine according to claim 10, wherein said means toreleasably retain said matchplate includes cover plates removably fixedto said spacer plate in a sandwiched relationship at least adjacentopposite ends of said spacer plate, facing edge portions of said coverplate extending inwardly of said plate opening in overlying relationshipto end portions of said match-plate.

12. A molding machine according to claim 11, wherein disc members arefixed in a sandwiched relationship to said spacer plate at spaced pointsalong sides thereof extending between said opposite ends, said discmembers have a thickness substantially equal to said cover plates.

13. A molding machine according to claim 12, wherein said retainer meansadditionally includes set screw devices carried by said spacer plate andextending inwardly of said plate opening for releasably lockingengagement with said match-plate.

14. A molding machine according to claim 4, wherein said means formounting said cope includes a carriage mounted for horizontalreciprocating movement, said cope carriage having means to support saidcope for vertical movement relative thereto, said means for mountingsaid drag includes a carriage mounted for horizontal reciprocatingmovement independently of said cope carriage, said drag carriage havingmeans to support said drag alternatively for vertical and verticalpivotal movement relative thereto, said drag when in said moldingposition being in a first pivotal position and when in said closingposition being in a second pivotal position arranged from said firstpivotal position, said vertical pivotal movement of said drag occurringabout an axis extending transversely of the path of reciprocatingmovement of said drag carriage.

15. A molding machine according to claim 14, wherein said mold halfcompletion means includes means defining first and second patternsurfaces; means carried on said frame to successively position saidfirst and second pattern surfaces for association with relatively lowersurfaces of said drag and said cope when in said molding positionthereof; means carried on said frame for successively dispensing moldingmaterial vertically downwardly into said drag and said cope when saidpattern surfaces are associated therewith; and means for associatingsaid pattern surfaces and for compressing said dispensed moldingmaterial to complete in succession mold halves within said drag and saidcope.

16. A molding machine according to claim 15, wherein said associatingand compressing means includes a squeeze head; and means operable insuccession to move said positioned pattern surfaces vertically upwardlyinto association with said drag and said cope, and to move said drag andsaid cope when'said pattern surfaces are associated therewith verticallyupwardly relative to said carriages and said squeeze head, whereby saiddispensed molding material is compressed within said drag and said copebetween said associated pattern surfaces and said squeeze head.

17. A molding machine according to claim 16, wherein said means definingsaid first and second pattern surfaces includes a match-plate havingsaid surfaces carried on oppositely facing surfaces thereof, and saidmeans for moving said positioned pattern surfaces means includes apattern well arranged for supporting said match-plate peripherally ofsaid pattern surfaces; a plate member for supporting said pattern well;and fluid cylinder means for vertically reciprocating said plate member,said plate member having a vertically extending through opening, andsaid pattern well having fixed thereto a vibrating device extendingdownwardly through said plate member opening.

18, A molding machine according to claim 16, wherein said dispensingmeans includes a molding material hopper horizontally fixed relative tosaid frame, said hopper having valve means operable to permit gravitydischarge of molding material therefrom; guide means horizontally fixedrelative to said frame for guiding molding material discharged from saidhopper downwardly through a lower end opening thereof into said drag andcope when in said molding position thereof; head means for normallyclosing said lower end opening and movable relative to said frame andsaid guide means to permit discharge of a charge of molding materialthrough said opening, said charge being determined by the verticalspacing between said head means and said hopper valve means, saidsqueeze head being carried by said head means for movement therewith;and means to mount said hopper on said frame for vertical adjustment,whereby said vertical spacing and thus the volume of said charge may beadjustably controlled.

1). A molding machine according to claim 16, wherein said squeeze headis provided with a vertically extending bore opening and a formingdevice is fixed within said bore opening, said forming device comprisinga generally frustoconical plastic forming head having a stepped openingextending axially therethrough, a relatively small diameter end portionof said stepped opening having a smooth wall surface opening through arelatively small end of said forming head, a relatively large diameterend portion of said stepped opening having a threaded wall surfaceopening through a relatively large end of said forming head, saidrelatively large end having a deformed lip portion extending marginallythereof; a tube member freely extending vertically through said boreopening, said tube being externally threaded at least adjacent upper andlower ends thereof, said lower end being threadably received within saidrelatively large end portion of said stepped opening, said tube havingan internal diameter substantially equal to or larger than saidrelatively small end portion of said stepped opening; and nut meansthreadably received on said upper end of said tube and cooperating withsaid squeeze head to maintain said lip portion in deformed, tightsealing engagement with said squeeze head.

20. A molding machine according to claim 14, wherein said closing meansincludes a pressure plate pivotally supported on said frame for movementinto vertical registration with said cope and drag when in said closingposition thereof;

a supporting platform;

a drag engaging device fixed to said platform;

a drag mold half supporting plate;

fluid expansible cushion means for mounting said supporting plate onsaid platform for vertical movement relative to said engaging devicebetween extended closing and contracted stripping positions, saidcushion means being deflatable to move said plate form said closing tosaid stripping position thereof;

means for vertically reciprocating said platform towards said pressureplate; and

means operable during reciprocation of said platform to deflate saidcushion means, said supporting plate when in said closing positionthereof and said platform is reciprocated being engageable with saiddrag mold half whereby said drag is lifted from said drag carrier intomold completed engagement with said cope and said engaged drag and copeare lifted relative to said cope carriage to position said cope moldhalf of said completed mold in engagement with said pressure plate, andsaid operable means includes switch means responsive to engagement ofsaid completed mold with said pressure plate, whereby upon deflation ofsaid cushion means said device engages said drag to effect stripping ofsaid completed mold from said engaged drag and cope.

21. A molding machine according to claim 5, wherein said frame includesplural vertical standards, said means for mounting said cope includes acarriage mounted for horizontal reciprocating movement on rail devicescarried by said standards, said cope carriage having means to supportsaid cope for vertical movement relative thereto, said means formounting said drag includes a carriage mounted for horizontalreciprocating movement on rail devices carried by said standardsvertically below said cope rail devices, said drag carriage having meansto support said drag alternatively for vertical and vertical pivotalmovement relative thereto, said drag when said molding position being ina first pivotal position and when in said closing position being in asecond pivotal position arranged 180 from said first pivotal position,and said mold half completion means includes means defining first andsecond pattern surfaces; support means; means to position said patternmeans in supporting engagement with said support means whereby toalternatively support said first and second pattern surfaces in anupwardly facing position on said support means; molding materialdispensing means fixed to said standards vertically above said raildevices, said dispensing means includes a squeeze head mounted forhorizontal reciprocating movement between molding material dispensingand molding compression positions, said squeeze head when in moldingcompression position being arranged in vertical registration with saidsupport means; said carriages positioning said drag and said cope invertical registration with said support means when in said moldingposition thereof; and means to effect vertical reciprocation of saidsupport means when said drag or said cope and said squeeze head are invertical registration, whereby in succession an upwardly facing patternsurface supported by said support means is moved vertically intoassociation with one of said drag and said cope and said drag or saidcope with which said upwardly facing pattern surface is associated ismoved vertically from its carriage towards said squeeze head, to effectcompression of molding material between said squeeze head and saidupwardly facing pattern surface.

22. In an apparatus for separating a completed mold form a joined dragand cope, the improvement comprising in combination:

a pressure plate engageable with a cope half of said completed mold, amold supporting plate engageable with a drag half of said mold; a dragsupporting device; fluid expansible cushion means for supporting saidsupporting plate on said supporting device for relative movement betweenextended closing and contracted stripping positions when said supportingplate is in engagement with said drag half and said pressure plate is inengagement with said cope half to clampingly engage said completed mold,said cushion means being deflatable to move said supporting platerelatively towards said supporting device into said stripping position;and

means to effect movement of said support device relatively towards saidpressure plate when said completed mold is clampingly engaged asaforesaid and into engagement with said drag to effect stripping of saiddrag and said cope from said completed mold.

23. In an apparatus for separating a completed mold from a joined dragand cope, the improvement comprising in combination:

a pressure plate engageable with a cope half of said completed mold;

a mold supporting plate engageable with a drag half of said completedmold;

a drag supporting device;

fluid expansible cushion means for supporting said s rtin lat on said surti device for relatii tove n ntbetween ex ded closmg and contractedstripping positions;

means responsive to engagement of said supporting plate with said draghalf and said pressure plate with said cope half to clamp said completedmold therebetween for deflating said cushion means, said cushion meanswhen deflated permitting movement of said supporting plate relativelytowards said supporting device into said stripping position; and

means to effect relative movement of said supporting device and saidpressure plate relatively towards one another when said completed moldis clamped as aforesaid, whereby upon deflation of said cushion meanssaid support device is engaged with said drag to effect stripping ofsaid drag and said cope from said completed mold.

24. The improvement according to claim 23, wherein said responsive meansis a pressure responsive switch.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION Patent No 3 695,338 Dated October 3 1972 Inventor(s) Anthony S. Masi It is certifiedthat error appears in the above-identified patent and that said LettersPatent are hereby corrected as shown below:

Column 5, line 7, "42 206" should read 42 and line 9, after "in "dowl'should read association Column 12, line 36, "form" should read fromColumn 13, line 34, "form" should read from Signed and sealed this letday of May 1973.

(SEAL) Attest:

EDWARD M.FLETCHER,JR. ROBERT GOTTSCHALK Attesting Officer Commissionerof Patents USCOMM-DC 50376-P59 FORM PO-XOBO (10-69) a u s sov ERNMENTPRINTING OFFICE: was o-ass-su.

1. A molding machine comprising: a drag; a cope; a molding station; aclosing Station spaced from said molding station; and mounting means tomount said drag and said cope for movement in succession through saidmolding and closing stations during each cycle of machine operation,said molding station includes means to complete in succession moldhalves in said drag and said cope when disposed therewith whereby saidmold half is completed in said cope after said drag with its associatedcompleted mold half is moved into said closing station, and said closingstation includes means to join said mold halves to form a completed moldwhen both said drag and said cope are moved into said closing stationand to strip said completed mold from said drag and cope.
 2. A moldingmachine according to claim 1, wherein said closing station meansincludes a pressure plate supported for vertical pivotal movementdownwardly into vertical registration with said cope mold half aftersaid drag and said cope are moved into said closing station, means toengage said drag mold half, means to engage said drag, and means to movesaid drag mold half engaging means relative to said pressure plate forjoining said mold halves therebetween to form said completed mold and tothereafter move said drag engaging means relative to said pressure platefor stripping said completed mold from said drag and said cope.
 3. Amolding machine according to claim 1, wherein said closing station meansincludes a pressure plate movable into vertical registration with saidcope and drag after said cope and drag are moved into said closingstation, a drag supporting device, a mold supporting device, fluidexpansible means for mounting said mold supporting device on said dragsupporting device for relative vertical movement between closing andstripping positions, pressure responsive means, and means for mountingsaid drag supporting device for vertical movement towards said pressureplate when said drag and said cope are in closing position thereof,vertical upward movement of said drag supporting device when said moldsupporting device is in said closing position thereof bringing said moldsupporting device into engagement with said drag mold half, whereby saiddrag is moved vertically into mold completion engagement with said copeand said engaged drag and cope are moved vertically to position saidcope mold half of said completed mold in engagement with said pressureplate, said pressure responsive means being responsive to engagement ofsaid cope mold half with said pressure plate for deflating said fluidexpansible means thereby to move said mold supporting device into saidstripping position thereof subsequent to engagement of said cope moldhalf with said pressure plate and before completion of said verticalupward movement, whereby said drag supporting device is engaged withsaid drag and said drag and said cope are moved vertically relative tosaid completed mold to effect stripping thereof.
 4. A molding machinecomprising in combination: a frame; a cope; means to mount said cope onsaid frame for movement successively between horizontally spacedretracted, molding and closing positions during each cycle of machineoperation; a drag; means to mount said drag on said frame for movementsuccessively between horizontally spaced molding and closing positionsbefore movement of said cope from said retracted position thereof duringeach cycle of machine operation; means carried on said frame to completein succession mold halves in said drag and said cope when in saidmolding positions thereof; and means to join said mold halves to form acompleted mold when both said cope and said drag are in said closingpositions thereof and to strip said completed mold therefrom.
 5. Amolding machine according to claim 4, wherein said mold half completingmeans includes means defining first and second pattern surfaces; meanscarried on said frame to successively position said first and secondpattern surfaces for association with said drag and said cope when insaid molding position thereof; means carried on said frame forsuccessively dispensing molding material into said drag and said copewhen said pattern surfaces are associated therewith; and means carriedby said frame for bringing said positioned pattern surfaces intoassociation and for compressing molding material dispensed into saiddrag and said cope.
 6. A molding machine according to claim 5, whereinsaid dispensing means includes a molding material hopper having valvemeans operable to permit gravity discharge of molding materialtherefrom; guide means horizontally fixed relative to said frame forguiding molding material discharged from said hopper downwardly througha lower end opening thereof into said drag and cope when in said moldingposition thereof; head means for normally closing said lower end openingand movable relative to said frame and guide means to permit dischargeof a charge of molding material from said guide means through saidopening, said charge being determined by the vertical spacing betweensaid head means and said hopper valve means; and means to mount saidhopper on said frame in fixed horizontal position for verticaladjustment, whereby said vertical spacing and thus the volume of saidcharge may be adjustably controlled.
 7. A molding machine according toclaim 6, wherein said head means is mounted on said frame forreciprocation between guide means opening closed and open positions,said head means including rake means arranged for engagement by saidcharge when said head means is reciprocated into said open position. 8.A molding machine according to claim 5, wherein said dispensing meansincludes means fixed relative to said frame for guiding molding materialdownwardly through a lower end opening thereof into said drag and copewhen in said molding position thereof; and head means mounted on saidframe for reciprocation between opening closed and open positions, saidhead means including rake means arranged for engagement by said moldingmaterial during discharge thereof through said opening when said headmeans is reciprocated into said open position.
 9. A molding machineaccording to claim 8, wherein said rack means includes a mounting platearranged to extend transversely of the path of reciprocation of saidhead means, resilient means to mount said plate on said head means, pinmeans fixed to said plate and extending in a direction lengthwise ofsaid path of reciprocation, means fixed to said plate for guiding saidcharge into association with said pin means, and means to vibrate saidplate relative to said head means.
 10. A molding machine according toclaim 5, wherein said means defining said first and second patternsurfaces includes a generally rectangular matchplate having said patternsurfaces carried on oppositely facing surfaces thereof, and a generallyrectangular match-plate holder, said holder including a generallyrectangular spacer plate having an opening therein dimensioned toaccommodate said match-plate in substantially co-planar relationship andmeans to releasably retain said match-plate within said opening, saidholder being carried by said surface positioning means.
 11. A moldingmachine according to claim 10, wherein said means to releasably retainsaid match-plate includes cover plates removably fixed to said spacerplate in a sandwiched relationship at least adjacent opposite ends ofsaid spacer plate, facing edge portions of said cover plate extendinginwardly of said plate opening in overlying relationship to end portionsof said match-plate.
 12. A molding machine according to claim 11,wherein disc members are fixed in a sandwiched relationship to saidspacer plate at spaced points along sides thereof extending between saidopposite ends, said disc members have a thickness substantially equal tosaid cover plates.
 13. A molding machine according to claim 12, whereinsaid retainer means additionally includes set screw devices carried bysaid spacer plate and extending inwardly of said plate opening forreleasably locking engagement with said match-plate.
 14. A moldingmachine according to claim 4, wherein said means for mounting said copeincludes a carriage mounted for horizontal reciprocating movement, saidcope carriage having means to support said cope for vertical movementrelative thereto, said means for mounting said drag includes a carriagemounted for horizontal reciprocating movement independently of said copecarriage, said drag carriage having means to support said dragalternatively for vertical and vertical pivotal movement relativethereto, said drag when in said molding position being in a firstpivotal position and when in said closing position being in a secondpivotal position arranged 180* from said first pivotal position, saidvertical pivotal movement of said drag occurring about an axis extendingtransversely of the path of reciprocating movement of said dragcarriage.
 15. A molding machine according to claim 14, wherein said moldhalf completion means includes means defining first and second patternsurfaces; means carried on said frame to successively position saidfirst and second pattern surfaces for association with relatively lowersurfaces of said drag and said cope when in said molding positionthereof; means carried on said frame for successively dispensing moldingmaterial vertically downwardly into said drag and said cope when saidpattern surfaces are associated therewith; and means for associatingsaid pattern surfaces and for compressing said dispensed moldingmaterial to complete in succession mold halves within said drag and saidcope.
 16. A molding machine according to claim 15, wherein saidassociating and compressing means includes a squeeze head; and meansoperable in succession to move said positioned pattern surfacesvertically upwardly into association with said drag and said cope, andto move said drag and said cope when said pattern surfaces areassociated therewith vertically upwardly relative to said carriages andsaid squeeze head, whereby said dispensed molding material is compressedwithin said drag and said cope between said associated pattern surfacesand said squeeze head.
 17. A molding machine according to claim 16,wherein said means defining said first and second pattern surfacesincludes a match-plate having said surfaces carried on oppositely facingsurfaces thereof, and said means for moving said positioned patternsurfaces means includes a pattern well arranged for supporting saidmatch-plate peripherally of said pattern surfaces; a plate member forsupporting said pattern well; and fluid cylinder means for verticallyreciprocating said plate member, said plate member having a verticallyextending through opening, and said pattern well having fixed thereto avibrating device extending downwardly through said plate member opening.18. A molding machine according to claim 16, wherein said dispensingmeans includes a molding material hopper horizontally fixed relative tosaid frame, said hopper having valve means operable to permit gravitydischarge of molding material therefrom; guide means horizontally fixedrelative to said frame for guiding molding material discharged from saidhopper downwardly through a lower end opening thereof into said drag andcope when in said molding position thereof; head means for normallyclosing said lower end opening and movable relative to said frame andsaid guide means to permit discharge of a charge of molding materialthrough said opening, said charge being determined by the verticalspacing between said head means and said hopper valve means, saidsqueeze head being carried by said head means for movement therewith;and means to mount said hopper on said frame for vertical adjustment,whereby said vertical spacing and thus the volume of said charge may beadjustably controlled.
 19. A molding machine according to claim 16,wherein said squeeze head is provided with a vertically extending boreopening and A forming device is fixed within said bore opening, saidforming device comprising a generally frustoconical plastic forming headhaving a stepped opening extending axially therethrough, a relativelysmall diameter end portion of said stepped opening having a smooth wallsurface opening through a relatively small end of said forming head, arelatively large diameter end portion of said stepped opening having athreaded wall surface opening through a relatively large end of saidforming head, said relatively large end having a deformed lip portionextending marginally thereof; a tube member freely extending verticallythrough said bore opening, said tube being externally threaded at leastadjacent upper and lower ends thereof, said lower end being threadablyreceived within said relatively large end portion of said steppedopening, said tube having an internal diameter substantially equal to orlarger than said relatively small end portion of said stepped opening;and nut means threadably received on said upper end of said tube andcooperating with said squeeze head to maintain said lip portion indeformed, tight sealing engagement with said squeeze head.
 20. A moldingmachine according to claim 14, wherein said closing means includes apressure plate pivotally supported on said frame for movement intovertical registration with said cope and drag when in said closingposition thereof; a supporting platform; a drag engaging device fixed tosaid platform; a drag mold half supporting plate; fluid expansiblecushion means for mounting said supporting plate on said platform forvertical movement relative to said engaging device between extendedclosing and contracted stripping positions, said cushion means beingdeflatable to move said plate form said closing to said strippingposition thereof; means for vertically reciprocating said platformtowards said pressure plate; and means operable during reciprocation ofsaid platform to deflate said cushion means, said supporting plate whenin said closing position thereof and said platform is reciprocated beingengageable with said drag mold half whereby said drag is lifted fromsaid drag carrier into mold completed engagement with said cope and saidengaged drag and cope are lifted relative to said cope carriage toposition said cope mold half of said completed mold in engagement withsaid pressure plate, and said operable means includes switch meansresponsive to engagement of said completed mold with said pressureplate, whereby upon deflation of said cushion means said device engagessaid drag to effect stripping of said completed mold from said engageddrag and cope.
 21. A molding machine according to claim 5, wherein saidframe includes plural vertical standards, said means for mounting saidcope includes a carriage mounted for horizontal reciprocating movementon rail devices carried by said standards, said cope carriage havingmeans to support said cope for vertical movement relative thereto, saidmeans for mounting said drag includes a carriage mounted for horizontalreciprocating movement on rail devices carried by said standardsvertically below said cope rail devices, said drag carriage having meansto support said drag alternatively for vertical and vertical pivotalmovement relative thereto, said drag when said molding position being ina first pivotal position and when in said closing position being in asecond pivotal position arranged 180* from said first pivotal position,and said mold half completion means includes means defining first andsecond pattern surfaces; support means; means to position said patternmeans in supporting engagement with said support means whereby toalternatively support said first and second pattern surfaces in anupwardly facing position on said support means; molding materialdispensing means fixed to said standards vertically above said raildevices, said dispensing means includes a squeeze head mounted forhorizontal reciprocating movement between Molding material dispensingand molding compression positions, said squeeze head when in moldingcompression position being arranged in vertical registration with saidsupport means; said carriages positioning said drag and said cope invertical registration with said support means when in said moldingposition thereof; and means to effect vertical reciprocation of saidsupport means when said drag or said cope and said squeeze head are invertical registration, whereby in succession an upwardly facing patternsurface supported by said support means is moved vertically intoassociation with one of said drag and said cope and said drag or saidcope with which said upwardly facing pattern surface is associated ismoved vertically from its carriage towards said squeeze head, to effectcompression of molding material between said squeeze head and saidupwardly facing pattern surface.
 22. In an apparatus for separating acompleted mold form a joined drag and cope, the improvement comprisingin combination: a pressure plate engageable with a cope half of saidcompleted mold, a mold supporting plate engageable with a drag half ofsaid mold; a drag supporting device; fluid expansible cushion means forsupporting said supporting plate on said supporting device for relativemovement between extended closing and contracted stripping positionswhen said supporting plate is in engagement with said drag half and saidpressure plate is in engagement with said cope half to clampingly engagesaid completed mold, said cushion means being deflatable to move saidsupporting plate relatively towards said supporting device into saidstripping position; and means to effect movement of said support devicerelatively towards said pressure plate when said completed mold isclampingly engaged as aforesaid and into engagement with said drag toeffect stripping of said drag and said cope from said completed mold.23. In an apparatus for separating a completed mold from a joined dragand cope, the improvement comprising in combination: a pressure plateengageable with a cope half of said completed mold; a mold supportingplate engageable with a drag half of said completed mold; a dragsupporting device; fluid expansible cushion means for supporting saidsupporting plate on said supporting device for relative movement betweenextended closing and contracted stripping positions; means responsive toengagement of said supporting plate with said drag half and saidpressure plate with said cope half to clamp said completed moldtherebetween for deflating said cushion means, said cushion means whendeflated permitting movement of said supporting plate relatively towardssaid supporting device into said stripping position; and means to effectrelative movement of said supporting device and said pressure platerelatively towards one another when said completed mold is clamped asaforesaid, whereby upon deflation of said cushion means said supportdevice is engaged with said drag to effect stripping of said drag andsaid cope from said completed mold.
 24. The improvement according toclaim 23, wherein said responsive means is a pressure responsive switch.